Stable isotope variations in stalagmites from northwestern Sweden document climate and environmental changes during the early Holocene

Abstract

This paper presents two early Holocene (9.6-5.9 ka BP) high-resolution stable isotope records of stalagmites from two caves in northwestern Sweden (Korallgrottan and Labyrintgrottan). Close similarities between the Swedish records and a previously presented Norwegian stalagmite oxygen isotope record emphasize the potential of Scandinavian stalagmites to provide high-resolution regional palaeoclimatic information. The stable oxygen isotope records are interpreted to reflect the temperature evolution during the early Holocene with a gradual warming from c. 9.6 ka BP, interrupted by cooler conditions at 8.5-8.0 ka BP. The results indicate that the cooler conditions were driven by two to three abrupt cold events rather than one ‘8.2 event’ only. Except for these cold events the stalagmite oxygen isotope records show that temperatures in northwestern Sweden were warmer than today between 9.6 and 5.9 ka BP and that during this period the interval between 7.8 and 5.9 ka BP seems to have been the warmest. The high-amplitude changes in the stable carbon isotope record of Labyrintgrottan are proposed to reflect changes in local vegetation. The area above Labyrintgrottan was most likely covered by much denser vegetation than today at the time of stalagmite growth (9.5-7.5 ka BP) and was -unlike today -probably situated below the local tree limit between 9.0 and 8.0 ka BP.